Friday, January 30, 2009

Senator Judd Gregg, Republican of New Hampshire, confirmed on Friday that he is, indeed, in the mix of prospective candidates to serve as Commerce Secretary in the Obama administration.

“I am aware that my name is one of those being considered by the White House for Secretary of Commerce, and am honored to be considered, along with others, for the position,” Mr. Gregg said in a statement. “Beyond that, there is nothing more I can say at this time.”

Put it this way, if Gregg was not interested in this job, he would have SAID THAT. Now typing this, I take it he is interested in this job.

I laid out last night why HE SHOULD take it. But what will Governor Lynch do?

One of several unresolved questions surrounding this story: Would New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, consider replacing Mr. Gregg in the Senate with a Republican? That is the question being asked among Republicans in New Hampshire.

This is how the Senate math looks now: There are 58 Democrats in the Senate, (including two independents), with the number rising to 59 if Al Franken of Minnesota is seated after the court challenge to his race is completed. The replacement of Mr. Gregg with a Democrat would give the majority party exactly 60 seats, the number needed to control the legislative agenda without the threat of Republican filibusters.

Remember, New Hampshire is a very independent state. If Lynch replaced Gregg with a Republican, I would not be surprised but he will get hell from the Democratic Party. Keep in tune.

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